Jimmy Ellis book of condolence opened

The Deputy Lord Mayor, Alderman Christopher Stalford, signs the Book of Condolence.

Published:09:30Tuesday 11 March 2014

Deputy Lord Mayor Alderman Christopher Stalford was the first to sign a book of condolence which was opened up in City Hall yesterday for Belfast-born actor Jimmy Ellis.

Mr Ellis, who died from a stroke in Lincoln Hospital on Saturday aged 82, had a career as an actor and stage director spanning over 60 years. He is perhaps best known for playing Bert Lynch in BBC police drama Z-Cars, which ran from 1962 to 1978, and as bullying father Norman Martin in the trio of ‘Billy’ plays in the early 1980s.

Alderman Stalford said Mr Ellis was “an inspiration to many actors from Northern Ireland and has left behind a great acting legacy”.

“My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time,” he added.

Lord Mayor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, who is currently in New York, said: “Jimmy Ellis walked the beat for Belfast and was a giant of stage and screen. He loved the city which shaped him and will be sadly missed.”